Transparent Electrode Device With Random Island Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transparent electrode devices for touch panels suffer from visible electrode patterns that detract from display quality due to the necessary film thickness for low resistance, and previous solutions with dummy electrodes have not effectively made these patterns invisible.

Innovation Solution

A transparent electrode device with electrode regions and insulating regions on a substrate, where the insulating regions feature random island patterns of 100 μm or greater, formed using the same transparent electroconductive film, to minimize visual recognition by adjusting the covering percentage and reducing contrast.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the film thickness of the transparent electroconductive film is increased to suppress resistance value, then the electrode pattern becomes more readily visible, but this deteriorates visual recognition of displayed images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode resistanceVSAvoidvisibility of electrode pattern

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the insulating region into multiple random island patterns instead of using a continuous insulating layer. This segmentation allows the transparent electroconductive film to be disposed in a discontinuous manner, reducing its overall coverage area and making the electrode patterns less visually conspicuous while maintaining electrical functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different configurations of the transparent electroconductive film to different regions: continuous film in electrode regions for low resistance, and discontinuous island patterns in insulating regions for reduced visibility. This local differentiation optimizes both electrical performance and visual appearance in respective areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If floating dummy electrodes are disposed between electrode patterns to suppress contrast, then the existence of electrode patterns becomes less conspicuous, but regions are formed where the transparent electroconductive film has been removed in a continuous manner

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast between electrode patternsVSAvoidcontinuity of transparent electroconductive film

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding dummy electrodes to insulating regions as in conventional approaches, the patent inverts the approach by making the insulating regions themselves consist of discontinuous island patterns. This inversion allows the transparent electroconductive film to maintain continuity where needed while reducing visibility through strategic discontinuity in insulating areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the transparent electroconductive film partially in the insulating regions (only in island patterns) rather than completely or continuously. This partial removal is sufficient to reduce visual contrast while maintaining enough film coverage to prevent harmful effects from complete film discontinuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8889244B2Transparent electrode device, information input device, and electronic equipment

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 DEXERIALS CORP

AI summary

A transparent electrode device includes: a substrate; an electrode region formed on the substrate using a transparent electroconductive film; and an insulating region disposed on the substrate and adjacent to the electrode region, in which a plurality of random island patterns including patterns having a width of 100 μm or greater, formed using the transparent electroconductive film, are disposed mutually distanced from one another.